Numeral display having plural electrode control of character fragments



Sept. 1, 1964 w, H,

NUMEIRAL. DISPLAY HAVI BUCHSBAUM 3,147,469- NG PLURAL ELECTRODE CONTROL OF CHARACTER FRAGMENTS Filed Dec. 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FLIP- FLOP COMPUTER 4d l5c 1 ISd FLIP-FLOP FIG. 1

Sept. 1, 1964 w. H. BUCHSBAUM 3,147,469 NUMERAL DISPLAY HAVING PLURAL ELECTRODE CONTROL OF CHARACTER FRAGMENTS Filed Dec. 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N mo -"T13".

N mOJm nzJu mw mm m ww w hm Nw Nw United States Patent M General This invention relates to a readout device capable of receiving an electrical signal representative of the character and providing a visual indication of that character as it would normally be written or read. Specifically, the input signal, furnished in some coded form, is supplied to a matrix which energizes selected portions of the display to develop the desired visual indication of the char acter.

While a great number of readout devices presently exist, most suffer from the shortcoming that due to the physical construction of the display the matrix circuitry for energizing the display is rather complicated and involves an excessive number of components. The present invention is directed to a technique of constructing the display so that the matrix circuitry can be greatly simplified.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved readout device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved readout device which simplifies the circuitry for energizing the display.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved readout device which reduces the number of components within the circuitry which energizes the display.

In accordance with the present invention a readout device comprises means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed and a plurality of light emitting current collecting sections so positioned that selected sections may compose a character. The invention additionally includes a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group having more than one electrode, for supplying electron current fiow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials. The invention further includes means responsive to the aforesaid signal for energizing the selected electrodes with the predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting current collecting section, thereby displaying a complete character represented by the signal.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a readout device constructed in accordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a readout device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Description and Operation of FIG. 1 Readout Device Referring to FIG. 1, a readout device constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed. Means 10 may be a computer or other information source capable of supplying an information signal in binary or otherwise coded form. Means 10 will be referred to as a computer and the signal supplied Patented Sept. 1, 1964 by it as a binary coded signal for the remainder of this specification.

The readout device also includes a plurality of light emitting sections 11a17a, inclusive, so positioned that selected sections may compose a character. These light emitting sections are shown as portions of a figure eightshaped member. Specifically, the figure eight-shaped member is composed of horizontal sections 11a, 12a and 13a and vertical sections -1761, inclusive. The entire figure eight-shaped member may be coated with phosphor or a like material to give it a light emitting property.

The readout device further includes a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting section and each group having more than one electrode. As shown in FIG. 1, each electrode group is composed of a cathode electrode and two control electrodes. Each cathode electrode has been assigned the same reference numeral as its associated light emitting section except that it is followed by the sufiix b; the two control electrodes of each electrode group have been assigned the same reference numerals as their associated light emitting section except that they are followed by the suffixes c and d.

The entire combination of the phosphor coated figure eight-shaped member and the plurality of electrode groups is placed within an evacuated glass envelope so that each light emitting section and its associated electrode group functions in a manner similar to ordinary vacuum tube operation.

The readout device additionally includes means responsive to the binary coded signal supplied by the computer ltl for energizing selected electrodes within the electrode groups with predetermined potentials to illuminate selected light emitting sections and thereby display a complete character represented by the binary coded signal. This means may include a plurality of flip-flops 20-23, inclusive, a plurality of AND circuits 24-32, inclusive, a pair of OR circuits 33 and 34, a plurality of resistors 3552, inclusive, and a source of negative potential 53. The flipfiops may be of conventional construction and operation such as the one shown on page 147 in FIG. 5-5 in Pulse and Digital Circuits by Jacob Millman and Herbert Taub, published by McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc. The AND circuits may also be of conventional construction and operation such as the one shown on page 32 in FIG. 2-21) in Arithmetical Operations and Digital Computers by R. K. Richards, published by D. Van Nostrand and Co. The plus and minus signs shown within the AND circuit symbols indicate that whenever the levels of all the input signals to these circuits are of similar and proper polarity, the AND circuits develop a corresponding change in the level of their output signals. Specifically, those AND circuits having a plus sign develop positive levels in their output signals when all input signals thereto are present and are of positive polarity. At all other times the level of the output signals of these AND circuits is negative. Those AND circuits having a minus sign develop negative levels in their output signals when all input signals thereto are present and are of negative polarity. At all other times the level of the output signals of these AND circuits is positive. The OR circuits may also be of conventional construction and operation such as the one shown on page 32 in FIG. 2-2a in Arithmetical Operations and Digital Computers. OR circuit 33 develops a positive level in its output signal whenever either or both of its input terminals is supplied with a positive signal and at all other times the level of its output signal is negative. OR circuit 34 develops a negative level in its output signal whenever either or both of its input terminals is supplied with a negative signal and at all other times the level of its output signal is positive.

As previously mentioned the light emitting sections lira-17a, inclusive, operate in conjunction with their associated electrode groups in the same manner as ordinary vacuum tubes. Each light emitting section may be thought of as an anode to which electron current flow is supplied from the cathode electrode when all the electrodes of the electrode group are energized with predetermined potentials. More particularly, whenever any section of the display is rendered above cutoff, electron current flow is supplied to the associated light emitting section. In the following description any section of the display having one or both of its control electrodes at a potential which is negative with respect to the associated cathode electrode potential will be cutoff. This condition is used merely to simplify the explanation of the operation of the invention. It is obvious that the various sections may be designed to have such electrical characteristics that cutofi occurs when the potential of one of the control electrodes is negative with respect to the cathode electrode potential by a prescribed amount. In any case, whatever cutoff conditions are established, either control electrode may be effective to render the section below cutoff. Whenever electron current flow is received by any light emitting section, this section, because of its phosphor coating, becomes illuminated.

The operation of the present invention would be most readily understood if reference is made to the following particular example. When means supplies a binary coded signal equivalent to the number 4, the levels of the output signals at the output terminals of flip-flops 20-23, inclusive, are of such polarity as indicated by the polarity signs adjacent to the output lines of the flip-flops. The positive voltage developed by flip-flop 20 is coupled to AND circuits 2447, inclusive, 29 and 31 and the negative voltage developed by flip-flop 20 is coupled to AND circuits 28 and 30. The positive voltage developed by flip-flop 21 is coupled to AND circuits 24, 27, 30 and 31 and the negative voltage developed by flip-flop 21 is coupled to AND circuits 25, 26, 28 and 29. The positive voltage developed by flip-flop 22 is coupled to AND circuits 25 and 27 and the negative voltage developed by flip-flop 22 is coupled to AND circuits 24, 26 and 28-31, inclusive. The positive voltage developed by flip-flop 23 is coupled to AND circuits 2d and 26 and the negative voltage developed by flip-flop 23 is coupled to AND circuits 25 and 27-32, inclusive. Since AND circuit 28 is the only AND circuit which has the required polarity signal supplied to all its input terminals, its output signal changes from a positive level to a negative level. AND circuits 24 and 26 continue to supply a signal having a negative level since the input signals to each of these AND circuits are of mixed polarities. AND circuits 25, 2'7, 22, 3t and 31 continue to supply a signal having positive levels since the input signals to each of these AND circuits are of mixed polarities. AND circuit 32 continues to supply a signal having a negative level since the input signals to this AND circuit are of mixed polarities, flip-flop 23 supplying a negative signal to AND circuit 32 and AND circuit 31 supplying a positive signal to AND circuit 32.

OR circuit 33 continues to supply a signal having a negative level since neither of its input signals is positive. OR circuit 34 continues to supply a signal having a positive level since neither of its input signals is negative.

AND circuit 25 supplies a positive level signal to control electrode 11c. AND circuit 28 supplies a negative level signal to control electrode 11d. Cathode electrode 11b is directly connected to ground. The potentials of electrodes 11b, 11c and 11d are effective to render this section of the display below cutoff and prevent electron current flow toward light emitting section 11a.

AND circuit 25 supplies a positive level signal to control electrode 120. AND circuit 31 supplies a positive level signal to control electrode 12d. AND circuit 24 supplies a negative level signal to cathode electrode 12b. The potentials of electrodes 12b, 12c and 12d are effec- '4 tive to render this section of the display above cutoff and ermit electron current flow toward light emitting section 12a.

AND circuit 28 supplies a negative level signal to control electrode 130.. OR circuit 34 supplies a positive level signal to control electrode 130. Cathode electrode 13b is connected directly to ground. The potentials of electrodes 13b, 13c, and 13d are effective to render this section of the display below cutofi and prevent electron current flow toward light emitting section 13a.

AND circuit 27 supplies a positive level signal to control electrode Md. OR circuit 34 supplies a positive level signal to control electrode 140. AND circuit 26, supplies a negative level signal to cathode electrode 14b. Cathode electrode Mb is also connected to the source of negative potential 53 through resistor 41. The potentials of electrodes 14b, 14c and 1411 are effective to render this section of the display above cutoff and permit electron current flow toward light emitting section 14a.

AND circuit 29 supplies a positive level signal to control electrode 15d. AND circuit 30 supplies a positive level signal to control electrode 15c. Cathode electrode 15b is connected directly to ground. The potentials of electrodes 15b, 15c and 15d are effective to render this section of the display above cutoff and permit electron current flow to light emitting section 15a.

AND circuit 26 supplies a negative level signal to control electrode 16d. Control electrode 16d is also connected to the source of negative potential 53 through resistor 41. OR circuit 33 supplies a negative level signal to control electrode 160. Control electrode 16c is also connected to the source of negative potential 53 through resistor 42. AND circuit 3t supplies a positive level signal to cathode electrode 16b. The potentials of electrodes 16b, 16c and 16d are effective to render this section of the display below cutoff and prevent electron current flow toward light emitting section 16a.

AND circuit 26 supplies a negative level signal to cathode electrode 17b. Cathode electrode 17b is connected to the source of negative potential 53 through resistor 41. Control electrodes 17c and 17d are connected to ground through resistors 45 and 46, respectively. The potentials of electrodes 17b, 17c and 17d render this section of the display above cutoff and permit electron current flow toward light emitting section 17a.

Thus, electron current flow is supplied to light emitting sections 14a, 15a, 12a and 17a to illuminate these sections thereby displaying the numeral 4. Light emitting sections 11a, 16a and 13a remain dark.

Description and Operation of FIG. 2 Readout Device FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a readout device constructed in accordance with the present invention. The primary difference between the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 displays is that instead of placing all the light emitting sections and their associated electrode groups within a single glass envelope a plurality of vacuum tubes 6167, inclusive, are used.

The vacuum tubes are so positioned that selected vacuum tubes may compose a character. Each vacuum tube includes a light emitting anode 6la-67a, inclusive, and an electrode group having a cathode electrode 61b-67b, inclusive, and a control electrode 6-1c-67c, inclusive. Commercially available vacuum tubes Type 6977 may be used in the FIG. 2 display. This vacuum tube has a phosphor coated anode which becomes illuminated when electron current flow is received by it.

The operation of the FIG. 2 readout device is essentially the same as the operation of the FIG. 1 readout device. An input signal from the computer 69, representative of a character, is supplied to the matrix energizing circuitry which in turn energizes selected electrodes of the vacuum tubes 61-67, inclusive, with predetermined potentials. Since each individual vacuum tube has only two electrodes in each electrode group, the FIG. 2 readout device requires a modified matrix different from the FIG. 1 device since the individual sections of this latter device have three electrodes in each electrode group.

Using the same example as was used in connection with the FIG. 1 readout device, when the computer 69 supplies a binary coded signal representative of the numeral 4, the flip-flops 70-73, inclusive, develop such polarity levels in their output signal as indicated by the polarity signs adjacent to the output lines. The AND circuits 74-83, inclusive and the OR circuits 8489, inclusive, function in the same manner as the AND circuits and OR circuits of the FIG. 1 readout device. The polarities of the signals supplied to and by the AND circuits and OR circuits are indicated by the polarity signs adjacent to the input and output lines. The various electrode groups in the display are supplied with such potentials as to render vacuum tubes 64, 65, 62 and 67 above cutoff and vacuum tubes 61, 66 and 63 below cutofi. A step-by-step analysis such as the one made in connection with the FIG. 1 readout device will show that the numeral 4 is displayed.

While the invention has been described to display the numerals -9, inclusive, it is clear that with additional light emitting sections and associated electrode groups, alphabet characters and other symbols may be indicated. Furthermore, composite displays such as the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be placed side-by-side so as to display multidigit numerals.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a plurality of light emitting current collecting sections so positioned that selected sections may compose a character;

a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group having more than one electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said signal for energizing selected electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting current collecting section, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

2. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a binary coded signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a plurality of light emitting current collecting sections so positioned that selected sections may compose a character;

a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group including at least one control electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said binary coded signal for energizing selected electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting current collecting section, thereby displaying a complete decimal character represented by said binary coded signal.

3. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a plurality of light emitting current collecting sections so positioned that selected sections may compose a character;

plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group including a source electrode and at least one control electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections when all electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and matrix means responsive to said signal for energizing selected electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting current collecting section, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

4. A readout device comprising: means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a plurality of light emitting current collecting sections so positioned that selected sections may compose a character;

plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group including a source electrode and at least one control electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections and for preventing electron current flow toward the remaining light emitting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said signal for energizing said electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of selected light emitting current collecting sections and prevent illumination of the remaining light emitting current collecting sections, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

5. A readout device comprising: means for supplying a signal representative of a charand means responsive to said signal for energizing said electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of selected phosphor coated current collecting sections and prevent illumination of the remaining phosphor coated current collecting sections, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

6. A readout device comprising: means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a vacuum tube including a light emitting member having a plurality of current collecting sections so positioned that selected current collecting sections may compose a character and further including a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group having more than one electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said signal for energizing se- .lected electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting current collecting section, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

7. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a binary coded signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a vacuum tube including a light emitting member having a plurality of current collecting sections so positioned that selected current collecting sections may compose a character and further including a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group including at least one control electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said binary coded signal for energizing selected electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting current collecting section, thereby displaying a complete decimal character represented by said binary coded signal.

8. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a vacuum tube including a light emitting member having a plurality of current collecting sections so positioned that selected current collecting sections may compose a character and further including a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group including a source electrode and at least one control electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and matrix means responsive to said signal for energizing selected electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting current collecting section, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

9. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a vacuum tube including a light emitting member having a plurality of current collecting sections so positioned that selected sections may compose a character and further including a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each light emitting current collecting section and each group including a source electrode and at least one control electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated light emitting current collecting sections and for preventing electron current flow toward the remaining light emitting current collecting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said signal for energizing said electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of selected light emitting current collecting sections and prevent illumination of the remaining light emitting current collecting sections, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

10. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a vacuum tube including a phosphor coated member having a plurality of current collecting sections so positioned that selected current collecting sections may compose a character and further including a plurality of electrode groups, one group associated with each current collecting section and each group including a source electrode and at least one control 8 electrode, for supplying electron current flow toward selected associated sections and for preventing electron current flow toward the remaining current collecting sections when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said signal for energizing said electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of selected current collecting sections and prevent illumination of the remaining current collecting sections, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

11. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a plurality of vacuum tubes so positioned that selected vacuum tubes may compose a character, each vacuurn tube including a light emitting anode and further including an electrode group having more than one electrode for supplying electron current flow toward selected light emitting anodes when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said signal for energizing electrodes of selected vacuum tubes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting anode, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

12. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a binary coded signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a plurality of vacuum tubes so positioned that selected vacuum tubes may compose a character, each vacuum tube including a light emitting anode and further including an electrode group having more than one electrode for supplying electron current flow toward selected light emitting anodes when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said binary coded signal for energizing electrodes of selected vacuum tubes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting anode, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said binary coded signal.

13. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a plurality of vacuum tubes so positioned that selected vacuum tubes may compose a character, each vacuum tube including a light emitting anode and further including an electrode group having more than one electrode for supplying electron current flow toward selected light emitting anodes when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and matrix means responsive to said signal for energizing electrodes of selected vacuum tubes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of the associated light emitting anode, thereby displaying a complete character represented by said signal.

14. A readout device comprising:

means for supplying a signal representative of a character to be displayed;

a plurality of vacuum tubes so positioned that selected vacuum tubes may compose a character, each vacuum tube including a light emitting anode and further including an electrode group having more than one electrode for supplying electron current flow toward selected light emitting anodes and for preventing electron current fiow toward the remaining light emitting anodes when all the electrodes of the group are energized with predetermined potentials;

and means responsive to said signal for energizing said electrodes with said predetermined potentials to permit illumination of selected light emitting 1&8 anodes and prevent illumination of the remaining and means responsive to said signal for energizing said light emitting anodes, thereby displaying a complete electrodes With said predetermined potentials to per- Charactel' fepresmted y Said Signal Init illumination of selected phosphor coated anodes A readout device comprising: and prevent illumination of the remaining phosphor means for supplying a signal representative of a char- 5 coated anodes, themby displaying a complete char acter f be dlsplayed; acter represented by said signal. a plurality of vacuum tubes so positioned that selected vacuum tubes may compose a character, each vac- Referenses m in the fil f this patant uum tube including a phosphor coated anode and further including an electrode group having more 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS than one electrode for supplying electron current 1,906,960 Harris May 2, 1933 flow toward selected phosphor coated anodes and 2,290,261 Welch July 21, 1942 for preventing electron current flow toward the re- 2 371,462 Eggensperger et 1. Jan, 27, 1959 rnaining phosphor coated anodes when all the elec- 2 91 0 Rieth 13 22 1959 trodes of the group are energized with predeter- 15 2,957,093 Bernstein g 1 19 0 mined potentials; 

1. A READOUT DEVICE COMPRISING: MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A SIGNAL REPRESENTATIVE OF A CHARACTER TO BE DISPLAYED; A PLURALITY OF LIGHT EMITTING CURRENT COLLECTING SECTIONS SO POSITIONED THAT SELECTED SECTIONS MAY COMPOSE A CHARACTER; A PLURALITY OF ELECTRODE GROUPS, ONE GROUP ASSOCIATED WITH EACH LIGHT EMITTING CURRENT COLLECTING SECTION AND EACH GROUP HAVING MORE THAN ONE ELECTRODE, FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRON CURRENT FLOW TOWARD SELECTED ASSOCIATED LIGHT EMITTING CURRENT COLLECTING SECTIONS WHEN ALL THE ELECTRODES OF THE GROUP ARE ENERGIZED WITH PREDETERMINED POTENTIALS; AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID SIGNAL FOR ENERGIZING SELECTED ELECTRODES WITH SAID PREDETERMINED POTENTIALS TO PERMIT ILLUMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATED LIGHT EMITTING CURRENT COLLECTING SECTION, THEREBY DISPLAYING A COMPLETE CHARACTER REPRESENTED BY SAID SIGNAL. 